We are conducting surveys, monitoring, and research on cougars (puma, mountain lion) on the Ladder Ranch in south-central New Mexico. Here, cougars are of particular interest given their effects on state-endangered desert bighorn sheep and other valuable big game. These projects are also resources for training and education, most notably through the Cougar Field Workshop.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Above we have a photo of a bobcat traveling along an arrollo. With photographs of sufficient quality, bobcats may be individually identified by their spots. Using individual identification and regular photo sampling it is possible to estimate the bobcat population size. This technique has been used with success with tigers which can be individually identified by their unique striping patterns.